Karoline

I wouldn't notice a lot of the details of the bird - red streaks, bill shape, leg color, black on wings - unless I was drawing or intentionally trying to ID the bird. I think a lot of people don't get into birding because they're never taught by anyone to look for that detail. I am not so good at drawing. I am generally satisfied with my drawing of this bird. I have the shape and proportions of the bird mostly right, which is really good for me. I did a much better job with beak shape and eye placement than I usually do. I got some details, but not many. I struggle with varying line weight to capture detail. I'm better at shading and blending colors. But - and importantly - I took a full 10-15 minutes to get a picture I was satisfied with using a two dimensional reference drawing that would have sat still for me all night if I'd wanted it to. That's why I am much better at drawing plants from life. They are happy to have you spend all day looking at them. Birds are not and I am terrible at gesture drawing. :)